Unbekannter Fotograf

This is a shrine dedicated to the Shinto Fox God, Inari. Fittingly, the gate is guarded by two large stone sculptures of foxes. The Inari gods were thought to control household well-being and prosperity in business. As such, they were often located in urban settings next to areas with many shops. Then as now, the entrances to shrines were also the place where flea markets and food stalls could be found, as can be seen to the right of this photograph.